Method and device for the transfer of electronic data volumes

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method of transmitting an electronic data set between a provider server and a user computer retrieves the electronic data set from the provider server with the aid of a server means and is analyzed and processed electronically in the server means. The processed electronic data set is transmitted by the server means to the user computer. The electronic data set is requested by means of the user computer form the provider server, but transmission to the user computer always is effected with involvement of the server means. In this manner retrieval of the electronic data set with cost can be controlled and logged for accounting purposes with the assistance of the server means.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns the field of electronic data set transmissionbetween a provider server and a user computer network, in particular theinternet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A great variety of information is retrievable from the internet by anyuser. The retrievable information made available by different providersis filed in the form of electronic data sets which are stored inso-called servers of the providers or other offerers of services. Theuser may retrieve information stored, via a user computer, making use ofthe services offered by a provider to obtain access to the internet. Theuser computer is furnished with a browser to permit handling of theinformation retrieved.

Most of the information stored in provider servers of the internet canbe fetched by the user without pay. However, the internet also offersinformation for which the user must pay, i.e. the user must pay a feefor retrieving such information. A substantial problem to be solved inthis context is the precise accounting of the compulsory fee incorrespondence with the amount of information.

In the case of a known method for retrieval of information from theinternet with cost the user, wishing to access such information withcost, is warned on an announcement page which is displayed by means ofthe browser in the user computer that a fee becomes due for retrieval ofthe desired information. For subsequent access to the information withcost, the user first must interrupt the existing data transmissioncircuit between the user computer and the service means of the provider.This means that the data connection with the user's provider isdisconnected. Subsequent dialing of a new telephone number will close anew data transmission circuit between the user computer and anotherprovider. The user was advised of this telephone number on theannouncement page which informed him about the obligation to pay a fee.Thereafter, the user may retrieve the information with cost from theinternet via the newly dialed data line.

It is a disadvantage of the known method that the dialing, both to clearand to set up a data line, entails time consuming dialing procedures. Ifthe user wishes to switch back and forth between retrieval ofinformation free of charge and information with cost this means thatmultiple dialing procedures are required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to provide an improved method and animproved apparatus for transmission of electronic data sets between aprovider server and a user computer, overcoming the disadvantages of thestate of the art.

The invention embraces the essential concept of accomplishingtransmission of the electronic data met between the provider server andthe user computer through the intermission of a server means which,preferably, is based on the so-called proxy technology. In this mannerthe provision of the server means makes it possible to supervise thedata stream from the provider server to the user computer in terms ofamount and time needed for the data to flow. Thus the transmission ofinformation with cost from the provider server to the user computer canbe monitored and an accurate account can be furnished.

The user of the user computer begins by requesting retrieval of theelectronic data set from the provider server. The provider serverautomatically recognizes that the user request is a request forinformation with cost and, therefore, passes the user request on to theserver means. The further stops for transmitting the electronic data setto the user computer then are initiated and controlled by the servermeans. As a consequence, the subsequent electronic data exchange willtake place between the server means and the user computer, to the extentthat the user computer is involved. The server means retrieves theelectronic data sets with cost, As desired by the user, from theprovider server and transmits them to the user computer upon processing.

The solution according to the invention does not require multipledialing to clear a data line and set up a data line when the userchanges between retrieval of data sets which are free of charge andthose for which he must pay. The solution consequently is more userfriendly.

It is an essential advantage of the invention that no additionalsoftware must be installed either by the user on the user computer or bythe provider on the provider server so that the implementing expenditureand costs which result from the incorporation of the user computer aswell as the provider server in an apparatus or system for carrying outthe novel method are low.

Moreover, the method and apparatus of transmitting electronic data setswhich are retrievable via the internet present a solution which operatesaccording to the so-called proxy principle and is based entirely on theinternet.

When making use of the solution according to the invention, furthermore,the provider need not create and maintain dual internet presentations,as is required with the known solution described above for retrievalwith cost of electronic data sets. For an internet presentation, in thecame of the known solution, the provider must maintain a data set on hisown server and a data set on the server to be dialed anew by the userafter disconnecting of his existing data line. The novel method and thenovel apparatus, therefore, permit saving of storage capacities. What ismore, there will be no maintenance expenditure for time limitedupdating.

To prevent the user from getting to know the data set address whichbelongs to the electronic data set desired by the user, a convenientfurther development of the invention provides for automatic generation,in the server means, of a temporary communication address for thedirectory and assigning it to the electronic data set before theelectronic data set is transmitted from the server means to the usercomputer. In this manner the electronic data set is passed on to theuser computer with an electronically rewritten data set address whichincludes the temporary communication address. If the user does not knowthe data set address he cannot set access to the electronic data met bycircumventing the obligation to pay for the retrieval.

A convenient modification of the invention provides that the temporarycommunication address comprises a temporary parameter electronicallyassociated with the current release. In this manner the recording andaccounting possibilities to cover the electronic data sets which wereretrieved with coat are improved by simple means.

A preferred modification of the invention offers a possibility oflimiting the time of retrieval with cost of the electronic data set inthat the electronic memorizing of the current release is restricted to apredetermined period of time.

The following method steps are provided in an advantageous furtherdevelopment in order to make sure that the user agrees to the obligationto pay when retrieving electronic data sets with cost:

-   -   automatically requesting a user input for electronically        recording a readiness to pay by way of the server means and the        user computer if it is determined in the electronic processing        of the user data recorded and the information about the        electronically recorded user request according to method        step (d) that no information about the current release for the        electronic directory is electronically stored in the server        means for the user authenticated by means of the user data        recorded; and    -   electronically recording and processing the requested user input        such that an electronic account balance assigned to the user        is_adjusted automatically and the information about the current        release for the electronic directory is stored in the server        means.

A convenient modification of the invention may provide for shortening ofthe time before the user's actual access to electronic data sets withcost, particularly in the event of multiple access to the same data set,by electronically generating a temporary identification file by way ofthe server means upon authentication or the user according to methodstep (b) and storing this file, after transmission to the user computer,in a memory means of the user computer, and by electronically analyzingthe temporary identification file for renewed user authentication whichdoes not require requesting nor recording or the user data, after arenewed user request for retrieval of the electronic data set or anotherelectronic data net from the electronic directory in the provider serverwas generated by the user by means of the browser in the user computer.

An advantageous further development of the invention for improving userfriendliness, especially transparency of the method from the user'spoint of view provides that, after renewed authentication and subsequentrenewed authorization by the server means carried out according tomethod step (d), a remaining period of time of the current release isdetermined automatically and information about the remaining period oftime is generated electronically and transmitted to the user computerfor output. In this manner the user is advised of the time left duringwhich the electronic data set with cost will be available before renewedretrieval of an electronic data set with cost.

Unnecessary demand for storage can be avoided according to a preferredmodification of the invention according to which the temporaryidentification file is erased automatically from the memory means uponclosing of the browser in the user computer. This, above all, takes theburden off the main memory and, besides, cancellation of the temporaryidentification file is effected so as to guarantee additional securityfeatures.

The method may comprise the steps recited below in order to permitaccurate and faultless accounting of electronic data sets with cost alsoin the event that the electronic data sets are nested and interconnectedwith the aid of hyperlinks:

-   -   syntactically analyzing the electronic data set by way of the        server means for electronically recording hyperlink elements        which are included in the electronic data set and each comprise        a different data set address pointing to an associated data set        in the network, especially in the provider server;    -   electronically rewriting the data set address of one of said        hyperlink elements prior to transmission of a part of the        electronic data set which includes the one hyperlink element        from the server means to the user computer according to method        stop (d) if it is determined in the electronic checking of the        one hyperlink element that the data set address of the one        hyperlink element lies within the electronic directory, the        electronic rewriting being carried out such that a rewritten        data set address of the one hyperlink element is generated which        address points to the server means; and    -   storing an electronic allocation between the data set address of        the one hyperlink element and the rewritten data set address of        the one hyperlink element by way of the server means so that,        upon a user request for retrieval of the data set belonging to        the data set address of the one hyperlink element, transmission        of the associated data set with involvement of the server means        is guaranteed.

An advantageous further development of the invention provides forminimizing waiting times when retrieving electronic data sets bycarrying out the syntactic analyzing on the fly while the electronicdata set is transmitted at least in part from the provider server to theserver means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in greater detail below, by way ofexample, with reference to a drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic presentation of a network including a usercomputer, a provider server, and a server means; and

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic presentation of means of the server meansillustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, electronic data can be exchanged between a usercomputer 1, a provider server 2, and a server means 3, respectively.This is illustrated symbolically by arrows in FIG. 1. The providerserver 2 as well as the server means 3 each are embodied by parts of acomputer network, in particular parts of the internet.

Electronic data sets by providers are stored in the provider server 2,and these electronic data sets are kept ready for being called up byusers, for instance, so as to be retrieved by means of the user computer1. The electronic data sets are stored in the provider server 2 inelectronic directories to each of which a communication address isassigned. In the internet environment, the communication address is aso-called link. The electronic data sets are stored in the directories;each of the electronic data sets is stored under a designation or filename. Together with the designation, the communication address forms adata set address which belongs to the data set. The electronic data setsmay be data sets having any desired data format, for example, html data,MP3 files, JPEG files, script data, etc. The electronic data sets maycomprise image, text, and/or sound information suitable to be read outby means of the user computer or some other peripheral equipment.

The provider may choose to offer the electronic data sets stored in theprovider server 2 for retrieval either free of charge or with cost. Ifhis intention is to make an electronic data set available againstpayment the provider first must register with the operator of the servermeans 3. That may be done by telephone, via the internet, or in writtenform. Doing that, the provider will have to reveal personal data and/orcompany specific information, such as his name, the company name, bankaccount, etc.

In a subsequent step, the provider may stipulate for which of the datasets offered by him payment shall be required. For this purpose, a usersurface displayed to the provider on a provider computer (not shown)connected to the server means 3 offers the provider tables in which theuser, first of all, marks the various electronic directories/regions forwhich prices are to be indicated or payment made by entering thecorresponding communication address (link—URL address). Following that,the server means 3 generates new communication addresses for thecommunication addresses indicated by the provider and advises theprovider thereof via the server means 3, preferably by the providercomputer. Instead of the communication addresses, the provider then mustenter the new communication addresses of which he has been advised intothe directories with the data sets to be paid for named by the providerwhich are stored in the provider server 2.

When the provider has taken the second registration step, thosedirectories in the provider server 2 in which data sets with cost arestored will have received a communication address (a link) with theconsequence that the user's attempt to retrieve data sets from thesedirectories by means of the user computer 1 will cause the user requestto be passed on to the server means 3. The new communication addressesgenerated by the server terns 3, communicated to the provider, andinserted by the provider, for example, may have the following format:“http://www.premium-link.net/$LN$O$/dataset.html” or“http://LN.O.premium-link.net” or“http://LN.O.premium-link.net/dataset.html”. This new data set addresscomposed of the new communication address“http://www.premium-link/$LN$O$” and the designation of the data set“dataset.html” was generated for the provider's original data setaddress “http://www.provider.com/current/dataset.html” after theprovider had indicated that data sets, such as the “dataset.html” storedin the directory belonging to the communication address“http;//www.provider.com/current” were to be retrievable with cost.

The insertion “premium-link.net”, chosen in exemplary fashion, causesthe user request to be passed on from the provider server 2 to theserver means 3 which in this case is electronically identifiable basedon the designation “premium-link.net”. It is essential in this contextthat the new communication address inserted makes sure that the userrequest is passed on from the provider server 2 to the server means 3.The insertion “LN” stands for “Link Number” and is a figure assigned tothe respective communication address or the respective link of theprovider. These figures preferably are assigned in consecutive order.The “0” insertion serves characterizing purposes and indicates that thisis a new user request. Based on this inserted “0”, the server means 3recognizes that the user request which was passed on is a request whichhas not yet been dealt with. These insertions are followed by“dataset.html”, i.e. that part of the original data set address whichwas taken over unchanged from the data set “dataset.html”.

A crawler module automatically checks the functionality of the newcommunication addresses (links).

The provider must fill in a description field in the menu read out bymeans of the user computer and must make a classification for eachdirectory mentioned for which payment is to be due. Theme provider datamay be analyzed automatically for statistical purpose, for instance.

Once the provider has fixed a directory as being offered againstpayment, the provider may determine that a subordinate directory underthis directory should be available with cost. To this end, the providerenters the subordinate directory in the user surface provided. Thereuponthe server means 3 will generate another new communication address alsofor the subordinate directory in the manner described above, and theprovider must incorporate it in the information stored in the providerserver 2, instead of the original communication address of thesubordinate directory.

It is likewise possible to provide for the information which is to begiven a price or made retrievable against payment to comprise a singledata set only, such as the file “example.html” to which the data setaddress “http://www.provider.com/example.html” is allocated. During theprovider installation the server means 3 in this case will generate thenew data set address “http://www.premium-link.net/$LN$O$/example.html”or “http://LN.O.premium-link.net/example.html”. The data set“example.html” also may be devised as part of a directory for which anobligation to pay already was fixed in the manner described above.

When determining the directories for which prices or the obligation topay are to be indicated, the provider must choose between differenttariff models. When the user retrieves the provider's data sets,observance of those tariff models is verified automatically by way ofthe server means 3. The setup of the provider data sets to be retrievedwith cost is terminated with the input of the tariff model which theprovider desires.

The setup procedure for determining the information which is to beavailable with cost can be facilitated by resorting to a so-called webcrawler so that the provider need not enter the communication addressesof the directories to be fixed as having to be paid for. Instead, theywill be read in automatically by the web crawler.

For further description, reference will be made below to FIG. 2 as well.It shows not only the user computer 1 and the provider server 2 but alsoincludes a diagrammatic presentation of individual means of the servermeans 3. Let it be assumed that the user computer 1 issues a userrequest for retrieval of a data set from the provider server 2. Thisuser request is automatically passed on from the provider server 2 tothe server means 3 due to the new communication addresses/data setaddresses inserted by the provider. The information about the userrequest received from the server means 3 for retrieval of the data set,first, is supplied to a session management 20. By means of this sessionmanagement 20 an intermediate page of information is generated andtransmitted to the user computer 1 to be displayed on the screen of theuser computer. The intermediate page informs the user about thefundamental obligation to pay in connection with the data set hedemanded. The intermediate page may contain additional information aboutthe kind and scope of the obligation of payment.

The insertion “0” in the communication address/data set address advisesthe session management 20 that this is a new user request not yethandled by the server means 3. Following this, a session manager 21 isinformed accordingly. The session manager 21 initiates a process forautomatic authentication of the user who triggered this user request bymeans of the use computer 1 and the browser installed in the same. Tothis and the session manager 21 generates requests which are transmittedto the user computer 1 asking him to make certain user entries. Thisincludes a question as to whether or not the user already has beenregistered in the server means 3 as a user of the method of requestingelectronic data sets with cost from the provider server 2. Otherquestion are for entry of a user identification and a password. Theexchange of data between the server means 3 and the user computer 1required for authentication takes place, at least in part, withinvolvement off a user data bass 22 (cf. FIG. 2). Data stored in theuser data base 22 are drawn upon for automatically verifying the userdate entered by the user and recorded electronically for authentication.

When the user has been authenticated successfully the next step is takento check whether the authenticated user is authorized to retrieve theelectronic data set requested by the user. What this means is that,after a call from the session management 20, the session manager 21automatically checks whether a current release exists for theauthenticated user for the directory characterized by means of theinsertion “LN” in the communication address or for the data setcharacterized by means of the insertion “LN” t in the data set address.To accomplish that, the session manager 21 accesses stored release data.The release data comprise information about releases or sessions presentat certain times. A or session is a valid electronic allocation betweena communication address/data set address and an authenticated user.Releases each exist for a predetermined period of time after the userhas declared his consent upon being presented with a question generatedby means of the session manager 21 and transmitted to the user computer1. As a result of the user's consent, an account balance electronicallyassigned to the user and preferably stored in the user data base 22 isincreased by a fee to be paid for the release, and a release isgenerated and stored electronically for the directory desired by theuser.

With the embodiment thus far described authentication of the user wasdone by means of automatically asking for, electronically recording, andautomatically verifying a user input. Yet it is also possible toauthenticate a user on the basis of an electronic certificate. Theelectronic certificate may be stored as an identification file in thememory or the user computer 1, especially the main memory thereof(so-called temporary cookie) or it may be designed as a browsercertificate in the browser installed in the user computer 1. Theidentification file is stored in the user computer 1 once the user hasstarted the browser in the user computer 1, i.e. a computer programforming the browser has been started, and the user has authenticatedhimself in connection with the retrieval of data sets with cost. Theidentification file stays memorized in the user computer 1 until thebrowser is closed. Closing of the browser automatically erases theidentification file from the user computer 1. During the userauthentication process the server means 3 automatically searches for theidentification file and evaluates it in respect of the authorizationdata it comprises, for the time the identification file is memorized inthe user computer 1.

In contrast to the identification file, the browser certificate isintegrated in the browser means in such a way that the browsercertificate will continue to be available for authorization of the usereven after closing of the browser and repeated opening thereof. Thepermanent integration of the browser certificate takes place after theuser has registered for the first time for retrieval with cost of datasets from the provider server 2.

After the user authentication has been determined electronically bymeans of the user input, the identification file, or the browsercertificate, the electronic data set desired by the user can betransmitted from the provider server 2 via the server means 3 to theuser computer 1. Yet this does not take place until after the subsequentauthorization of the user.

When the data set requested by the user is retrieved from the providerserver 2 through the server means 3 the data set can-not be passed onunchanged from the server means 3 to the user computer 1. The data setis subjected to processing by a rewrite means 23 which my be referred toas “rewrite engine”. (cf. FIG. 2). On the one hand, the description ofthe data set, especially a so-called header (http—header) must bealtered to filter out information relating specifically to theconnection between the provider server 2 and the server means 3.Moreover, the header of the data set to be transmitted may containadditional references to the provider server 2 which are inserted therefor technical reasons. Also, the header may contain control informationto be passed on to the user in amended form only, such as a messageabout the move of a data set to a new communication address(http—redirect) A one-way parser in the server means 3 sequentiallyprocesses these items of header information and hands them to a separatefunction so that they may be recorded according to standard. The datawhich are not needed technically thus are eliminated.

The header of the data set is followed by a data portion of which thetype is defined in the header. The data portion may comprise referencescorresponding to the respective standard and pointing to otherdirectories and/or data sets in the provider server 2. In html datasets/documents these are, for example, so-called hyperlinks or hyperlinkelements. If the user of the user computer 1 calls data sets which liewithin a directory designated or installed by the provider as being withcost then the references comprised by these data sets, especiallyhyperlink elements must be rewritten by means of the rewrite engine 23before being passed on from the server means 3 to the user computer 1.The hyperlink elements thus comprised, in turn, may point to otherdirectories which are to be subject to compulsory payment. It is,therefore, the purpose of the rewriting to prevent that a hyperlinkelement in the data set retrieved by the user will give the user accessto the other directories, circumventing the obligation to pay, i.e. thatthe user may retrieve the data sets stored in them without paying forthem. For this reason the hyperlink elements must be neutralized in sucha way that the user can-not recognize the actual communication addressbehind the hyperlink element. If the hyperlink element points to adirectory with cost the hyperlink element must be replaced in the courseof the automatic rewriting by the communication/data set address whichwas generated when the directory with cost/data set with cost wasdetermined by the provider with the assistance of the server weans 3(see above).

A module or reference file is filed in the provider server 2 as afurther means of safety against abusive, charge-free retrieval of datasets with cost with every electronically recorded access to the data setwith cost, it verifies automatically whether the access is taken throughthe server means 3. Access is prevented if that is not the case. Thisoffers efficient protection against abuse in view of the fact that datasets with cost, when retrieved by means of the user computer 1, asdescribed above, always are retrieved first from the provider server 2by way of the server means 3 and then transmitted by the server means 3to the user computer 1.

In case the hyperlink element is a reference to information/data setswhich are retrievable without payment this hyperlink element remainsunchanged and is not rewritten.

Three-step processing of the data portion of the data set by threeparsing means included in the rewrite engine 23 is provided foreffecting the necessary adaptation of the hyperlink elements, providedthe data portion belongs to one of the known data types. In a firststep, the structure of the data of the data portion must be opened upand divided into references (hyperlink elements) and other items ofinformation. In a second step, the electronically recorded referencesare classified and sorted in a sorting means in the server means 3 inorder to be able to distinguish between references to directories/datasets with cost subject to accounting according to the method describedhere and other references/data sets, especially information free ofcharge. In a third step finally, the references to directories/data setswith cost are adapted or rewritten in such a way that the user will beable to load the contents of these references in the manner describedabove only with involvement of the server means 3. The rewriting of thehyperlink elements preferably may be carried out by means of the rewriteengine 23 or an additional rewrite means (not shown).

In this context a technical peculiarity must be taken into account ifsmooth and particularly transparent functioning is to be warranted.While the server means 3 still is loading the desired data set from theprovider server 2, parts of this data set must be transmitted to theuser computer 1, upon processing, especially rewriting of the hyperlinkelements. Real time transmissions would not be possible with a methodand apparatus operating according to the principle of “load dataset—rewrite references/hyperlink elements and other information—senddocuments”. The user always would have to wait until processing of theentire data set in the server means 3 would be completed. Only thencould the transmission to the user computer 1 be accomplished.

For this reason the three parsing means for the operating steps definedabove operate on the fly or in real time and, therefore, can load anydesired small amount of the data set from the provider server forsubsequent output to the user computer 1. Hereby the continuous datastream from the provider server 2 to the user computer 1 through theintermediate stage embodied by the server means 3 is guaranteed.

The features of the invention disclosed in the specification above, inthe drawing and claims may be significant, either individually or in anydesired combination, for implementing the invention in its variousembodiments.

1. A method of transmitting an electronic data set between a providerserver (2) and a user computer (1), the electronic data set in theprovider server (2) being included in an electronic directory and beingstored in said directory under a designation, and a communicationaddress in a network, which comprises the provider server (2) and aserver means (3), being assigned to the electronic directory so that theelectronic data set is electronically identifiable in the network bymeans of a data set address which comprises the communication addressand the designation, said method comprising the following steps: (a)electronically recording a user request generated by a user by means ofa browser in the user computer (1) for retrieval of the electronic dataset from the electronic directory in the provider server (2) by way ofthe server means (3); (b) automatically requesting and recording userdata for authentication of the user by way of the server means (3) andthe user computer (1); (c) electronically processing the user datarecorded and the information about the electronically recorded userrequest in the server means (3) for authorizing the user such that it ischecked automatically by means of release information stored in theserver means (3) whether any information about a current release for theelectronic directory is electronically stored in the server means (3)for the user authenticated by the user data recorded; (d) transmittingthe electronic data set of the electronic directory from the providerserver (2) to the server means (3) and from the server means (3) to theuser computer (1) if it is determined by the automatic checkingaccording to method step (b) that the authenticated user is authorized;(e) syntactically analyzing the electronic data set by way of the servermeans (3) for electronically recording hyperlink elements which areincluded in the electronic data set and each comprise a different dataset address pointing to an associated data set in the network,especially in the provider server (2); (f) electronically rewriting thedata set address of one of said hyperlink elements prior to transmissionof a part of the electronic data set which includes the hyperlinkelement from the server means (3) to the user computer (1) according tomethod step (d) if it is determined in the electronic checking of theone hyperlink element that the data set address of the one hyperlinkelement lies within the electronic directory, the electronic rewritingbeing carried out such that a rewritten data set address of the onehyperlink element is generated which address points to the server means(3); and (g) storing an electronic allocation between the data setaddress of the one hyperlink element and the rewritten data set addressof the one hyperlink element by way of the server means (3) so that,upon a user request for retrieval of the data set belonging to the dataset address of the one hyperlink element, transmission of the associateddata set with involvement of the server means (3) is guaranteed.
 2. Themethod as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a temporarycommunication address for the directory is generated automatically inthe server means (3) and assigned to the electronic data set prior totransmission of the electronic data set from the server means (3) to theuser computer (1) so that the electronic data set is transmitted to theuser computer (1) together with an electronically rewritten data setaddress which includes the temporary communication address.
 3. Themethod as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the temporarycommunication address includes a temporary parameter electronicallyassigned to the current release.
 4. The method as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the electronic memorization of the current releaseis limited to a predetermined period of time.
 5. The method as claimedin claim 1, the method comprising the following further steps:automatically requesting a user input for electronically recording areadiness to pay by way of the server means (3) and the user computer(1) if it is determined in the electronic processing of the user datarecorded and the information about the electronically recorded userrequest according to method step (d) that no information about thecurrent release for the electronic directory is electronically stored inthe server means (3) for the user authenticated by means of the userdata recorded; and electronically recording and processing the requesteduser input such that an electronic account balance assigned to the useris adjusted automatically and the information about the current releasefor the electronic directory is stored in the server means (3).
 6. Themethod as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a temporaryidentification file is generated electronically by the server means (3)upon authentication of the user according to method step (b) and isstored in a memory means of the user computer (1) after having beentransmitted to the user computer (1), and in that the temporaryidentification file is analyzed electronically for renewed userauthentication which does not require requesting nor recording of theuser data, after another user request for retrieval of the electronicdata set or another electronic data set from the electronic directory inthe provider server (2) was generated by the user by means of thebrowser in the user computer (1).
 7. The method as claimed in claim 4,characterized in that, after renewed authentication and subsequentrenewed authorization by the server means (3) carried out according tomethod set (d), a remaining period of time of the current release isdetermined automatically and information about the remaining period oftime is generated electronically and transmitted to the user computer(1) for output.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 6, characterized inthat the temporary identification file is erased automatically from thememory means upon closing of the browser in the user computer (1). 9.The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the syntacticanalyzing is carried out on the fly while the electronic data set istransmitted at least in part from the provider server (2) to the servermeans (3).
 10. A server means (3) which can be connected to a providerserver (2) and a user computer (1) for transmitting an electronic dataset in a network, the electronic data set in the provider server (2)being included in an electronic directory and being stored in saiddirectory under a designation, and a communication address in thenetwork being assigned to the electronic directory so that theelectronic data set is electronically identifiable in the network bymeans of a data set address which comprises the communication addressand the designation, the server means comprising: a recording means forrecording information transmitted from the provider server (2) to theserver means (3) about a user request generated by means of the usercomputer (1) for retrieval of the electronic data set from the providerserver (2); an authentication means for automatically enablingauthentication of a user of the user computer (1) in response to therecording of the user request; a checking means for electronicallychecking a user authorization by means of stored release informationwhich is stored electronically in a memory means; a retrieving means forretrieval of the electronic data set from the provider server (2) inresponse to the checking of the user authorization; a rewriting meansfor electronically generating a temporary communication address and forelectronically rewriting the data set address belong to the electronicdata set such that the data set address will include the temporarycommunication address; and a transmitting means for transmitting to theuser computer (1) the electronic data set rewritten as regards the dataset address and retrieved from the provider server (2).
 11. The servermeans (3) as claimed in claim 10, characterized by a generating meansfor generating a temporary identification file.
 12. The server means (3)as claimed in claim 10 characterized by a plurality of parsing means forsyntactically analyzing the electronic data set to automatically recordhyperlink elements.
 13. The server means (3) as claimed in claim 12,characterized in that each of the plurality of parsing means operatesaccording to the on the fly principle.
 14. The server means (3) asclaimed in 12, characterized by another rewriting means forelectronically generating a further temporary communication address andfor electronically rewriting the communication address which belongs toone of the hyperlink elements by means of the further temporarycommunication address.
 15. The server means (3) as claimed in claim 12,characterized by a sorting means for sorting the automatically recordedhyperlink elements.